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AMMAN — Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Imad Fakhoury concluded a visit to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, during which he held a meeting with the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for Development (SDF) Yousuf Bin Ibrahim Al Bassam.

During the visit, the two sides discussed enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries and development projects, according to a Planning Ministry statement. 

The meeting was attended by officials from the fund and Jordan’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ali Al Kayed.

Fakhouri noted that the work progress in all projects funded through Saudi Arabia’s contribution to the Gulf grant has been reviewed.

Bassam expressed SDF’s appreciation of the Jordanian government’s administration in implementing the projects of the grant, stressing the fund’s keenness to support priority development projects in Jordan.

Fakhoury outlined the economic situation and the current economic challenges faced by Jordan in light of the regional situation, especially by hosting Syrian refugees and the pressure on the national economy, infrastructure and the provision of services.

He also briefed the fund’s officials on the government’s efforts in economic and financial reforms, the statement said.

The minister commended the fund’s contribution in financing the project of revamp the Desert Highway at a cost of $105 million, in an agreement that was signed on the sidelines of Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz’s visit to Jordan in March.

According to the ministry’s data, SDF is an important partner of Jordan and has provided aid that amounted to $488.1 million since 1975, contributing to financing priority development projects in strategic sectors such as energy, sanitation, education, infrastructure and health. 

ZAATARI — “From the pain we were suffering, we have created something beautiful,” Fatima Sharban said about the tote bags she learned how to sew out of UNHCR tents she used to live in at Zataari refugee camp.

As part of Oxfam’s livelihood programme, some 175 women have been trained in sewing techniques over the past two months, learning how to design practical handbags.

“We started this project in April, training each group of women for two hours a day, six days a week and it has been a great success so far,” said Nada Srour, Oxfam livelihood officer, noting that all the bags have all been sold out days as soon as they entered the market.

“We partnered with the German organisation ‘More than Shelters’ which has been handling the post-production process and we are currently working on scaling up the project to include labels, and maybe quotes from the tailors to be printed on the bags,” she told The Jordan Times at the workshop.

Made out of old UNHCR tents in which the Zaatari residents used to live before moving to the caravans, the bags offer a minimalist, trendy design, in line with the latest fashion.

“We have three sizes, and as each contains a different part of the UNHCR logo, which makes every piece very unique,” said Suha Ali, a trainer in the programme, noting that “the project has been a tremendous success, and has helped so many women already.”

A former seamstress back in Syria, the woman now helps empower fellow refugees living in the camp, with a special focus on single mothers, women with disabilities, and widows. 

“Since I started this training, it has really helped me provide for my family and my seven children. I am now able to buy baby clothes for my youngest child, and to support my husband,” she said.

Seventy per cent of the profits generated by the sale of the bags are redistributed to the tailors, who are also provided with a graduate certificate once they complete the training.

“Even though I knew how to sow back in Syria, I have learned how to do it professionally, with a machine. I can now measure, cut, design, all in a very professional manner,” said Sharban, who voiced her hope to open her own tailoring shop in the future.

“If I had money or capital to start with, I would open a shop right here, right now,” she asserted, stressing her sadness to see the training come to an end for her.

“This project has helped us tell our story and share our suffering to the world. Through those bags, we can show people what we are going through,” said Rula, a mother of six.  

“When we have celebrities or foreign delegations visiting the camp, they are all amazed by the quality and the beauty of the bags. They all buy dozens of them and share pictures of them on their social media, which is a great boost for the project,” said Aisha Shwiti, media officer at Oxfam. 

“Our biggest customer base so far has been located in the West, with a very strong demand from the foreign markets,” said Srour, noting that they are currently working on expanding their outreach to sell both in Amman and online. 

AMMAN — Participants at a conference titled “How to prepare a teacher for life” on Wednesday called for exchanging expertise in teacher’s training in the Arab region. 

Organised by the Queen Rania Teacher Academy (QRTA) in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, and in partnership with UNESCO and Jordan National Commission for Education, Culture & Science, the conference in Amman focused on developing professional programes enhances teaching skills improving student performance. 

Chief Executive Officer of QRTA Haif Banayan stressed the significance of joint Arab action and cooperation in the field of education.

Banyan said that the QRTA works in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Teachers College at the University of Columbia in New York to develop training programmes.

He noted that the academy has also worked to implement long-term strategic partnerships with a group of universities and international institutes that are leaders in the field of teacher training.

The academy has played a key role in supporting the Education Ministry in regards to teachers’ development as part of the Jordan National Strategy for Human Resources Development 2016/2025.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Education Mohammad Okour highlighted the importance of providing support to teachers and enabling them in keeping up-to-date with the latest developments as the world is witnessing transformations in various sectors.

The two-day conference will discuss teacher training from a global perspective, policies on teacher certification as well as focusing on regional experiences in this regard.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday sent a cable to Lebanese President Michel Aoun greeting him on his country’s independence day, a Royal Court statement said.

In the cable, His Majesty wished President Aoun good health and the people of Lebanon further progress and prosperity.

AMMAN — Civil Status and Passport Department (CSPD) Director Fawaz Shahwan inaugurated the opening of a new CSPD office at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA), the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Shahwan said that the department works “constantly” to improve the quality of services presented to citizens. He pointed that the CSPD office at QAIA will issue and renew passports for the arriving and departing passengers as well as for the airport staff.

Shahwan added that the office will also issue birth, death, marriage and divorce certificates that have been officially registered previously. The opening hours are from 8am till 10:30pm. 

AMMAN — A book titled “Game of Illusion… Islam between the West and Terrorism” written by the Media Adviser of the Jordanian embassy in Egypt Deeb Garalleh and Kamel Fathi, has been launched in Cairo.

According to a survey conducted by the authors, only 16 per cent of the terror organisations’ leaderships including Al Qaeda, Abu Mussab Al Zarqawi, the Daesh terror group and Al Nusra, studied Sharia (Islamic law) disciplines, of which 7 per cent did not complete their education.

Accordingly, the majority of those leaders were not aware of Sharia teachings, which exposed their ignorance of religion that had led them to extremism.

The 316-page book is among the latest publications on the future of the terror organisations and will be translated into English in the near future, according to a recent report by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.       

AMMAN — The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) on Wednesday launched the 2017 edition of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign, which will officially kick off on November 25.

“Too young to be married” is the theme of this year’s edition, which was designed in response to the recommendations of a study on early marriages conducted by the Higher Population Council (HPC), according to a press release by the JNCW.

The report called for more efforts to raise awareness among communities on the impact of child marriage on girls’ lives as they face biological and psychological challenges when they become pregnant at an early stage, including their capacity to take care of their babies and family.

“The issue of child marriage does not affect only children,” JNCW Secretary General Salma Nims said at the launching event, pointing out that “it has a negative impact on women at all stages of their life, as they cannot enjoy their youth or finish their education, and the majority of them are subject to gender-based and sexual violence”.

“Speaking about discrimination against women is seen by some people as an attack, but we cannot keep on living in denial and we shall address the root of this problem,” Nims continued. 

The activist expressed her gratitude for all partners in the campaign, highlighting “the role of all UN agencies in supporting the civil society and its activism against gender-based violence [GBV].”

Andres Pedersen, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Jordan, said that “fighting GBV and promoting gender equality is primary for the UN, and we will do all that is in our hands to promote this agenda”.

“Our principle this year is to leave no one behind,” continued Pedersen, stressing that “women are at the core of everything we do”.

“We have to acknowledge that empowering women and ending GBV is in our hands, and we shall take responsibility for the actions we take,” he remarked. 

“Positive advances have been made in Jordan since my arrival, but recent surveys show that 1 in 3 women from 15 to 49-years old has experienced physical or psychological violence, making it clear that much more needs to be done,” the UN official concluded.

For his part, EU Ambassador to Jordan Andrea Matteo Fontana remarked that the GBV issue is present all over the world, noting that the EU has recently adopted a gender action plan aimed at dealing with the issue both in the EU and globally. 

“Our plan is focused on the right to physical and psychological integrity, economical and political empowerment, but we need to be aware of the fact that women empowerment cannot happen  until we resolve the GBV issue,” Fontana said.

For her part, Dutch Ambassador Maartje Peters stated that “this initiative should not be still needed in 2017, but unfortunately, women across the world continue to be subject to gender-based and sexual violence”.

“Thirteen per cent of the marriages in Jordan in 2014 involved girls under 18, according to the HPC,” the ambassador pointed out, expressing that “at this age, girls should be enjoying their youth and pursuing their education”.

Nims explained that several talks will be organised among local communities and educational institutions on the importance of combating early marriage, including its social, economic, psychological and health implications. 

Twelve awareness sessions will be conducted in local schools and universities, and dedicated initiatives will be also held in refugee camps, host communities, juvenile centres and women shelters. 

Furthermore, a workshop focusing on the issuing of marriage contracts will be organised in collaboration with the National Council for Family Affairs, involving members of the Sharia (Islamic law) judicial system. 

National media will take part in the campaign by sharing relevant data, information and audio-visual material, and advocacy efforts will also target female and male preachers in collaboration with the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. 

Furthermore, embracing the spirit of the global call to action to “Leave No One Behind: End Violence Against Women and Girls”, the campaign seeks to engage men, boys and the youth in ending GBV, as well as to raise women and girls’ awareness on their rights through the organisation of a series of workshops in local communities located in remote areas of the governorates.

“Her destiny is in your hand and her childhood is not a burden to you”, “does it make sense for a child to raise children?”, “It is still too early for her” and “Return me to my class” are some of the messages to be displayed in a street campaign across the Kingdom, comprising 50 street billboards and 14 signs on pedestrian bridges in all governorates. 

To mark the beginning of the global campaign, social media users committed with the initiative will call upon the public to share related advocacy messages during the “orange hour”, which will take place on November 25 at 8pm. 

The campaign is organised by the JNCW in partnership with the Shama’a Network, the UN in Jordan, the EU Delegation to Jordan, the Dutch embassy, Intermon Oxfam and Al Ghad newspaper.

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday discussed with visiting Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit regional and pan-Arab issues.

During the meeting, His Majesty and Aboul Gheit went over the regional developments and efforts to deal with them, a Royal Court statement said.

Jordan, as the most recent host of the Arab summit, presides over the current session of the league. 

The King stressed Jordan's keenness on supporting all endeavours that would enhance pan-Arab cooperation and serve Arab causes, especially under the current "difficult times".

His Majesty and the Arab League chief also discussed efforts aimed at reactivating the Mideast peace process through resuming serious and active negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis on the basis of the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and the international legitimacy resolutions.

King Abdullah highlighted the pivotal role of the league in serving pan-Arab interests, stressing the importance of coordinating the efforts of realising a comprehensive and sustainable peace in the region.

The meeting also addressed the regional and international efforts in the war against terrorism through a holistic approach.

Aboul Gheit briefed His Majesty on the outcomes of the recent emergency meeting of the Arab foreign ministers that was held at the Arab League in Cairo.

He expressed appreciation for the Kingdom’s role, under the leadership of the King, in enhancing the joint Arab action and achieving peace and stability in the region.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also met Aboul Gheit, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported, and discussed with him regional developments and the efforts to ensure stability and protect the pan-national security. They also looked into progress in efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, as well as the situation in Syria, Yemen, Libya, the war on terrorism and ways to enhance the mechanisms of joint Arab action and efforts to develop the Arab League.

AMMAN — The Cabinet on Wednesday discussed and endorsed the 2018 budget speech that will be presented before the Lower House on Sunday.

The Constitution stipulates that the government present draft laws of the general budget and budgets of independent government units to the Parliament at least one month before the beginning of the fiscal year.

The 2018 budget speech outlines challenges of the national economy and their repercussions on the economic performance in 2017, which mainly includes low economic growth rates, high unemployment rates and serious repercussions of hosting Syrian refugees, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The speech also highlights the additional procedures implemented by the government in 2017 related to the continued reform process that adopts financial control policies, rationalising expenditure and enhancing local revenues. 

The Cabinet on Sunday okayed the draft state budget law for 2018, with a foreseen increase in the domestic revenues to cover 98.9 per cent compared with 92.5 per cent in 2017.
According to the draft, the domestic revenues are estimated at JD8.496 billion, of which JD7.796 billion comes from domestic sources and JD700 million from foreign grants.

The budget planners also see a slight expansion of 3.2 per cent in spending and an estimated deficit of JD688 million. In figures, public spending for next year is estimated to reach JD9.039 billion, up by JD572 million over public expenditure reestimated for 2017, including JD7.886 billion as current spending and JD1.153 billion as capital expenditures.

AMMAN — Jordan is among the 37 countries worldwide in which prospects for children are declining in at least one key respect, according to a UNICEF global analysis conducted on the occasion of the World Children's Day celebrated on Monday. 

“It is very important to stress that children prospects in Jordan are not declining in general, but in very specific aspects,” UNICEF representative in Jordan, Robert Jenkins, told The Jordan Times, pointing out an increase in child marriage among Syrian refugee girls residing in Jordan.

“Jordan has been successful in several other aspects, such as the percentage of schooled children in the Kingdom,” Jenkins continued, noting that “now, it is time to focus on improving the lives of the most vulnerable children”.

Juliette Touma, UNICEF Regional Chief of Communication in the Middle East and North Africa, said that "Jordan has made significant advances in the matter of children's rights, but the impact of the refugee crisis over the past years has left the country with a decline on the resources ready for children."

"Jordan has been accommodating a huge number of child refugees and that increased the pressure on the country," Touma continued, noting that "UNICEF commends Jordan's role in receiving so many refugees, and stands ready by the Jordanian government to support its efforts for all children to reach all services in the Kingdom." 

In a recent interview with The Jordan Times, economist Isam Qadamani outlined the effect that the refugee crisis has had in the provision of basic services such as education or healthcare.

“More than half of the Syrian refugees in Jordan are under the age of 18, which places great pressure on educational capacity. Jordan has opened an additional 98 schools in two shifts to ease pressure on classroom size, and as a result, the proportion of students enrolled in double-shift schools increased from 7.6 per cent in 2009 to 13.4 per cent in 2014,” the economist said, noting that “in Amman and Irbid, about half of the schools suffer from overcrowding, and their capacity is limited to absorbing additional numbers of students.”

“The Jordanian healthcare system is under pressure in terms of financial resources and the ability to provide services,” continued Qadamani, adding: “For some citizens, the influx of Syrian refugees has made access to
healthcare more difficult and expensive.”

However, Jordan was only one of the 8 countries in the Arab region included on the list issued by UNICEF, which also featured Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Lebanon, Comoros and Djibouti.
A total of 180 million children worldwide live in countries where they are more likely to live in extreme poverty, be out of school or be killed by violent death than children living in the same countries 20 years ago, while 1 in 12 children worldwide has worse prospects than their parents, according to the report. 

“While the last generation has seen vast, unprecedented gains in living standards for most of the world’s children, the fact that a forgotten minority of children has been excluded from this — through no fault of their own or those of their families — is a travesty” said Laurence Chandy, UNICEF’s director of data, Research and policy.

“At a time of rapid technological change leading to huge gains in living standards, it is perverse that hundreds of millions are seeing living standards actually decline, creating a sense of injustice among them and failure among those entrusted with their care,” Chandy continued, adding that “it is no wonder they feel their voices are unheard and futures uncertain”.

“It is the hope of every parent, everywhere, to provide greater opportunities for their children than they themselves enjoyed when they were young,” he added, concluding that “this World Children’s Day, we have to take stock of how many children are instead seeing opportunities narrow and their prospects diminish.”